Elina Shatkin

Lists

5 least pretentious dining spots in Beverly Hills

1. Papa Jake's Sub Shop   Beverly Hills

Even amidst the chic eateries and trendy bars, it's nice to know you can still get a big ole heaping sub in the middle of Beverly Hills. Cheese steaks with rib-eye steak, sautéed onions, peppers, mushrooms, melted provolone or American cheese; pizza sauce on rolls baked with dough imported from the Old World i.e. New Jersey. Tuna and Italian cold cut hoagies so fresh they bite you back. Fountain soft drinks, lemonade, iced tea. Twelve stools at two counters, three tables on sidewalk. Perfect for homesick Philadelphia transplants. AND they sell Tastycakes!


2. Nate 'n Al   Beverly Hills

This old school, divey deli serves up all the classic Jewish standards, somewhat incongruously, from the heart of Beverly Hills’ shopping district. In much the same vein as Canter’s Deli, it’s unpolished and old school and has been around forever, but Nate 'n Al’s following swears this one is the best deli on the West Coast. The line seems to attest to that, and it’s true, the blintzes, pastrami sandwiches, matzo ball soup and other deli fare is anything but typical. Plus, the ambiance harks back to another era – probably 1945 when it opened – when carbs were cool and corned beef was king. The cadre of feisty waitresses are half the fun, all gruff and pushy and put-upon, and they don’t suffer fools. Of course deli or no, being in chichi Beverly Hills means equally chichi prices – expect to pay about $20 per person.

TIPS: Valet used to be essential, but now you can park for two hours in the Crate & Barrel structure up the block. If you’re hankering for sandwich to go, they’ll wrap it with an ice pack for ultimate freshness. And despite being the quintessential Jewish deli, it’s not kosher, only “kosher style.”


Nate 'n Al
3. Brighton Coffee Shop   Beverly Hills

The oldest coffee shop in Beverly Hills, it's been around since 1934 serving traditional American food. This might be the best value in all of Beverly Hills. Breakfast, which is served all day, includes all the standards as well as a meatloaf & egg platter. Lunch is sandwiches, meatloaf, six varieties of baked potatoes and various meat dishes. They've made a few concessions to modern dining and added dishes such as salmon teriyaki, bulgogi and grilled tofu. But mostly they serve hearty American coffee shop fare.


Brighton Coffee Shop
4. Basic Bites   Beverly Hills

Though it sits in the shadow of The Farm, Basic Bites offers a variety of interesting and high quality salads that are every bit as tasty and significantly less expensive.


Basic Bites
5. Frankie & Johnnie's New York Pizza   Beverly Hills

Frankie & Johnnie's isn't the best pizza in the city, but by L.A. standards it's solid. Thin crust, New York-style pizza with the usual assortment of toppings. For eat in, takeaway or delivery.


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